The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2024 - Issue 35

bitetravel O verlooking the picturesque Cullera in the province of Valencia, Spain, the towering Castell de Culle- ra (Castle of Cullera) at the top of Cullera Mountain, with the city name marked in white Hollywood-type letters, is a beautiful architectural ensemble of Muslim origin. It was constructed in the 10th century during the Caliphate of Córdoba (a Muslim state in Spain) and served as a strategic military for- tification. Over the centuries, it experienced many battles, with the Moors and Christians ruling it interchangeably. The Reconquista (Reconquest) of al-Anda- lus was the European Christian kingdoms’ lengthy but successful military campaigns against the Muslim kingdoms following the Umayyad Caliphate’s conquest of the Iberi- an Peninsula (Spain and Portugal). The ini- tial conflict began around 718 or 722 at the Battle of Covadonga, marking the Kingdom of Asturias’ army, led by its founder Pela- gius the Visigoth, its first victory over the Umayyad Caliphate forces. Cullera Castle, a Heritage Site of Cultural Interest, has a fortress characterised by ro- bust curtain walls, crenellated towers, and a chapel dedicated to the Santuario de la Mare de Déu del Castell (Sanctuary of the Mother of God of the Castle), also known as San- tuario de la Virgen del Castillo (Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Castle). The sanctuary combines Gothic and Baroque architectural elements reflecting periods of construction and renovation. It’s adorned with religious artworks, frescoes and intricate decorations. Several towers link the wall sections sur- rounding the castle. You can follow the walled complex path from Torre de la Reina Mora (Tower of the Moorish Queen), also known as Torre Santa Ana, to Torre Miran- da, Torre del Racó de San Antonio, Torre Desmochada, and Torre Octogonal. Visitors can explore the Municipal Museum of His- tory and Archaeology, which houses arte- facts and exhibits of the castle’s history and the region’s cultural heritage. One of Cullera Castle’s fascinating aspects is its underground passages, used during sieges to move troops and supplies unde- tected by the enemy. Today, some passag- es are open to visitors, providing a unique glimpse into the castle’s defensive strategies. Its battlements and watchtowers also offer breathtaking panoramic views of the city and coastline, including the Faro de Cullera beach and Júcar River on the Iberian Penin- sula in the Mediterranean Sea. The Júcar River Estuary is a natural reserve where the river, one of the longest in Spain, meets the Mediterranean Sea. It offers op- portunities for bird watching, boating, and enjoying the serene natural landscape. The river originates from the Montes Univer- sales in the Sistema Ibérico mountain range. It is home to several plant and animal spe- cies, with wetlands crucial for maintaining ecological balance and providing breeding grounds for fish and birds. Historically, it has supported agriculture, trade, and settle- ment.